Property Crime Tops Past Months, Years

After falling in September, property crime in the Spokane Valley increased sharply during October.

Look for it to get even worse during the months to come, Sheriff’s Department investigators say.

“We’re already at the point we were at (the end of) last year and it’s only October,” said Sgt. Gary Smith.

Burglary reports last month jumped 18 percent to 114, including 93 residential burglaries. Commercial burglaries fell slightly to 21.

Opportunity residents reported 25 residential burglaries last month. Those accounted for 27 percent of the Valley’s October residential burglaries.

Sheriff’s investigators said burglars prey on Opportunity’s large neighborhoods and densely landscaped yards.

“That makes it a little better picking for the bad guys,” Smith said.

Large tools were taken in several Valley garage burglaries. Drill presses, sanders and other tools were stolen, Smith said.

Entry in over half of all of the month’s burglaries was not forced, meaning thieves entered through doors or windows that had been left unlocked or even open.

Neighborhoods around University City were also targeted by thieves. Stolen vehicles, bicycle thefts and car burglaries were the crimes of choice at the mall and in nearby neighborhoods.

“They can hit a couple of spots in one quick sweep,” Smith said, explaining the area’s popularity.

Residents reported 261 car burglaries and 78 stolen cars countywide last month. About 60 percent of those crimes were committed in the Valley.

Businesses in Greenacres reported six burglaries, edging Opportunity, which had five, as the hardest hit area.

But Smith said deputies have not chosen to focus on specific areas. Instead, they will concentrate on the Valley as a whole.

“They are trying to work all of the areas more,” he said.

As the weather turns colder and the holiday season approaches, Smith expects to see home burglaries dip slightly. However, cases of forgeries and fraud tend to rise, along with car burglaries.

, DataTimes